Gov. Ivey qualifies to run for full term, will share 'good news' in Tuesday address

Gov. Kay Ivey qualifies to run for a full term as governor on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Erin Edgemon/eedgemon@al.com)Erin Edgemon | eedgemon@al.com

Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday officially qualified to run for a full term in the state of Alabama's highest office.

Ivey visited the Alabama Republican Party headquarters in Hoover to fill out the paperwork and to speak to members of the media ahead of the start of the 2018 legislative session today and her first State of the State address on Tuesday.

The primary in the governor's race is June 5. Candidates have until Feb. 9 to qualify.

"Because I am a conservative, I want to continue to fight for Alabama families," she said. "Unemployment is at an all-time, record low. We are cleaning up Montgomery, and we are restoring conservative values to state government. We will continue to fight for more jobs and higher pay, safer streets and improved schools for everyone."

She said she took over and provided continuity when "Alabama was under a dark cloud."

Ivey said she planned to share "more good news" during her State of the State address. She didn't speak further about Tuesday's address.

When asked about the legislative session, Ivey said the general fund budget was the main item she wants to see lawmakers pass. "Let's stay with that," she said.

Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Tom Parker also qualified to run for chief justice on Monday. He announced his run in April 2017.

Parker was elected to the Supreme Court and 2004 and reelected in 2010 and 2016.

Ivey will deliver the annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Alabama Legislature at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Old House Chamber of the State Capitol.

Ivey has invited Jefferson County resident Caryn McDade as a special guest to the State of the State address, the governor's office announced on Monday. McDade, who has a learning disability, received a job through Ivey's first-ever Governor's Disability Job Fair in October 2017.

McDade had dropped out of high school due to her learning disability. She later took GED classes at the Birmingham Career Center and was referred to the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. After learning from that agency how to seek and obtain employment, McDade attended the job fair and was hired by Southern Hospitality Home Health Care in Fultondale as a home health care aide.